The VRA decision in Texas
With Tuesday's Supreme Court decision regarding the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), Texas voters are in for certain changes.
In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed the Voter ID Law, which required citizens to provide a photo ID to vote. Then, the following year, the U.S. Department of Justice determined that the law was discriminatory, and therefore, unconstitutional. It was Section 4 of the VRA that allowed the Department of Justice to make this call, and it was Section 4 of the VRA that the Supreme Court struck down this week.
This means that the Voter ID Law passed by the Texas Legislature in 2011 will become effective immediately. According to the Texas Secretary of State, a valid photo ID will now be required in all Texas elections. Texans with disabilities who want to vote and do not have an accepted form of photo ID have a couple of options:
- They may obtain a free voter ID from the Department of Public Safety. DPS will begin issuing election identification certificates for anyone without an acceptable form of photo ID on June 26, 2013. Read more about obtaining an election identification ID
- They may apply for a permanent exemption with their county voter registrar. CTD is proud to have been part of the effort that brought this exemption into the Voter ID Law during the 2011 legislature. Read more about obtaining a permanent exemption
Although obtaining a photo ID or a permanent exception can be extremely difficult or inconvenient, CTD encourages everyone to do whatever is necessary to utilize and protect his or her right to vote.
The Supreme Court's decision may cause another sweeping change in Texas: the mapping of political districts will no longer require pre-clearance from federal officials. This means that the electoral maps drawn in 2011 and 2012, which federal courts refused to preclear, MIGHT go into effect. CTD will monitor redistricting efforts and keep you updated.
